Bailey came up with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1950 but was let go befoe the year was out. He spent the latter part of the year with the Cleveland Buckeyes and Houston Eagles. He played for the Eagles (now the New Orleans Eagles) in 1951, then rejoined Birmingham in 1952. He would play for them for eight years. Otha was known for calling a good game and throwing accurately. At one point, he was scouted by the Boston Red Sox. He once was to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers but overslept.